1st: high grading became illegal about 2000-2001. It was completely legal before then.
The main reason that it became illegal was in tournaments people would hold onto big fish hopeing to get a larger one and if not they would weigh that fish in.
2nd: Those of us that fish from
"rocky" shore lines, first ya hook the fish, then ya play it till it is stressed, trying to find a place to land the striper amongest the rocks, while the surf is banging the crap out of it against the rocks and once you drag it or gaff it,[ya I know you gaffed it under the lip] up over the rocks and it turned out not to be a keeper, you thru it back but didn't see it float so it must of lived .
That's worst then up grading. I should get my hidden camera out and fellow a few "pre Ma Donnas' " around.
3rd: I use to up grade. Was completely legal then. Now it is not.
And now I don't do it!!!!
And only once did I have a problem when up grading. My leader was just a little to long and the prop put a good gash in that 44" fish. It was still salvageable and I fillet it for a person.
And I don't eat them !!! they are full of
"P C Bs" 
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